"What a disgusting guy."
For someone as kind as Professor Oak to use a word like that, it showed just how much Goh had angered him.
"Alright, let's not dwell on unpleasant things," Professor Oak said, shaking his head. "I actually called you here today because I have something important to entrust to you."
He paused, collecting his thoughts.
"A group of poachers has appeared in the Johto Region. Their targets seem to be the three legendary beasts—Entei, Raikou, and Suicune."
"Originally, Lance planned to handle it himself. But Team Rocket has become active again recently, and Johto is short on manpower."
"So he's hoping you can go to Johto and deal with this poaching group."
"No problem," Sam agreed immediately.
Suicune. Poachers. Goh.
Those three things together gave him a very bad feeling.
Even if Professor Oak hadn't asked, he would've gone anyway.
A Legendary Pokémon like Suicune being casually caught by someone like Goh? That would be a joke to every Trainer who had trained seriously.
For both principle and instinct, Sam wouldn't let that happen.
Johto Region — Team Rocket Base
"Cough… cough…"
Watching Giovanni cough violently, Ariana's face filled with concern.
Giovanni wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief and tossed it into the trash without a change in expression.
"Have you located Mewtwo and the three legendary beasts?"
Ariana played a video in front of him.
"We've confirmed Mewtwo's location. It appears to be near Cerulean Cave. The hunter team we hired is already attempting to capture it."
"As for the beasts, we've found some traces—but none of them match the three revived by Ho-Oh."
Giovanni tapped the table lightly, thinking.
"I see. Ariana, come with me to Cerulean Cave. With Mewtwo's help, we'll find the real three beasts soon enough."
"My lord, Archer and I can handle Mewtwo," Ariana said carefully.
"Cough—!"
This time, Giovanni didn't even reach for a cloth. Blood dripped from his hand onto the floor.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Ignoring it completely, he stood up.
Even in his weakened state, his presence was overwhelming.
"Nothing will happen," he said coldly.
"If I could create Mewtwo… I can destroy it as well."
Viridian Forest
Deep within the forest—
An old man sat in a wheelchair, slowly moving forward as if searching for something.
Beside him, a small Swinub stayed close, guarding him.
It was a strange sight.
This was the deepest, most dangerous part of Viridian Forest, a place many Trainers feared.
And yet—
Not a single wild Pokémon attacked him.
"You've wandered into the wrong time…" the old man muttered.
"Celebi… don't think you can escape me."
New Bark Town — Johto Region
Known as "the town where the winds of a new beginning blow," New Bark Town was bustling with life.
Just like Pallet Town in Kanto, this was where many Rookie Trainers received their first Pokémon—Chikorita, Totodile, or Cyndaquil—from Professor Elm, beginning their journeys.
But today was even more crowded than usual.
Not just because it was starter day—
But because someone had recently spotted Suicune nearby.
That single sighting had drawn Trainers from everywhere.
Everyone wanted a chance to encounter—and capture—the Legendary Pokémon.
Among the crowd, Ash, Misty, and Brock pushed their way through the busy streets.
"Brock, how long until we reach the Pokémon Center?" Ash groaned.
"If it were normal, we'd already be there," Brock replied helplessly.
"But with this many people… probably over an hour."
"I'm starving… Brock, can't we just eat first?"
"Not a chance. Every restaurant is packed. The whole town is filled with Trainers here for Suicune."
"Hey—wait!" Misty suddenly pointed ahead.
"Doesn't that look like… Sam?"
Ash and Brock followed her gaze—
And sure enough—
There was Sam, casually walking through the streets of New Bark Town as if nothing unusual was happening.
If you want, I can tighten the Johto plotline next—this arc has strong potential, but it'll hit harder if we sharpen the tension between Goh, the poachers, and Sam early.